ASML in Veldhoven is said to dodge Netherlands taxes by using more interesting regulations in Belgium. This reports the Dutch tv programme ‘ZEMBLA’.
Through this Belgian scheme, the chip machine factory can deduct non-existent, fictitious, interest from taxable income. This is done through a branch in Belgium. ZEMBLA went looking for this company and found out that it was no more than a house.
It’s not illegal what ASML is doing, but the way of working is up for debate. In the programme, the European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager is interviewed. She finds that multinationals have to pay taxes in the countries where they are also benefitting.
ASML did not want to react in front of the camera. Though the company has written a large response to ZEMBLA, according to Omroep Brabant. The company regrets that this response is not used.
Source: Studio040
